Many people go to a library. They borrow books.
They read newspapers. They use the computers there.
The new library in Surrey is different.
You can borrow people at the Surrey library.
They are called “living books”. You can listen to their stories.

Another new libraryIn Vancouver there is now a tool library.
This library has 900 tools to borrow.
Big tools are the most popular.
And most of these tools are donated.
There are tools for home repair and for gardening.
There are tools to fix a bicycle.
These jobs are called DIY projects. Do It Yourself.

How the tool library worksThe tool library has 450 members now.
A person pays a fee to join the library.
Then that member can borrow tools at no cost.
A member can keep a tool for five days.
Every month about 80 to 100 members use the library’s tools.

WorkshopsThe Vancouver Tool Library gives workshops, too.
People learned how to make boxes for flowers this year.
The staff are giving more workshops this fall.

Ella tries DIYElla is a member. She built shelves for a friend’s house.
Ella said she used a belt sander, a skill saw, and an impact driver.
She had not used any of those tools before.
“Impact drivers totally rock. You should get one,” she said proudly.

The future of the tool libraryMembers hope the library will make a place for members to work.
There is not enough room right now.
Maybe in the future.
The most popular toolWhat do you think are the most popular tools at the tool library?
This is one of them. It is called a power washer or pressure washer.

Photo: Public DomainPower Washer, a popular tool at the Vancouver Tool Library